Keep On Climbin’
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
A Memphis raised trio who now live in Ft. Collins, Joe Schicke (guitar), Steve Amedee (drums) and Taylor Tesler (bass, acoustic guitar, percussion), i.e. West Side Joe & The Men Of Soul, sees all 3 members singing, too, on this debut album of timeless, vintage rock.
“Easier Than You Think” starts the listen with frisky drumming, buzzing bass and spirited keys as soulful vocals steer the bluesy landscape, and “Keep On Climbin’” follows with a punchy, rhythmic delivery of dance friendly sounds that benefits from Schicke’s strong guitar work.
There’s a dozen tracks here, and they’re all executed precisely, including the soft and easy going “Found You”, where strategic horns add much to the graceful climate, while “Man Down” gets funky, playful and beams with retro rock fun. “Give Love For Free”, a truly exceptional tune, then meshes brass, keys, guitars and drumming into a breezy, melodic adventure of radiant warmth.
Landing near the end, “When You Get The Chance” has Schicke belting out some powerful singing amid a firm New Orleans flavor, and “I Can’t Lose” exits the listen with some R&B hints embedded in the meticulous finish.
A very fluent listen that embraces soul, gospel, blues and all sorts of variations of rock, there’s certainly a lot of southern swagger left in these now Colorado residents, and it’s showcased here with a lot of heart and much skill.
Travels well with: Steve Cropper- Fire It Up; Rick Holmstrom- See That Light